Enabling future space missions using transition-edge sensor detectors

Completed TRL 4 (started at 1, targeting 4)

Description

This project aims to develop transition-edge sensor (TES) detectors that can meet the sensitivity and efficiency requirements of future space telescopes like LUVOIR, HabEx, and Origins, filling key detector technology gaps. Currently the most sensitive bolometer ever developed is still an order of magnitude away from the requirement. We aim to demonstrate detectors that can operate with near-unity efficiency and advance the state of the art by at least two orders of magnitude, also enabling photon counting at lower energies than demonstrated before.

Benefits

The detectors developed in this project would enable future far-infrared space telescopes like OST.

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors > Detectors and Focal Planes
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2019-10-01
End date	2021-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

David H Richardson — david.h.richardson@nasa.gov
Keith M Jahoda — keith.m.jahoda@nasa.gov
Peter C Nagler — peter.c.nagler@nasa.gov
Edward J Wollack — edward.j.wollack@nasa.gov
John E Sadleir — john.e.sadleir@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.